Benin City is bursting with creativity as it hosts the first Black Muse art festival, marking the opening of the new Black Muse sculpture park. Conceived by Nigerian-American artist Victor Ehikhamenor, the 3,500-square-meter park blends art, architecture, and nature, featuring a striking bamboo pavilion designed by architect James Inedu-George alongside other art installations. Inspired by Benin’s ancient bronze artistry, the park honors the city’s cultural heritage while offering a green sanctuary amid urban growth. The festival, themed “Let the Forest Dance,” celebrates African art, literature, and music with exhibitions, workshops, and performances. By inviting the public to explore art in the festival’s open, natural spaces, Ehikhamenor hopes to inspire a new appreciation for creativity and sustainability in Nigeria.
The Guardian
